User:Beeasy1130/Draft of The Catcher in the Rye

Plot Summary The Catcher in the Rye is a story about Holden Caulfield; a sixteen year old boy, who yearns for companionship in the world. He begins his first person story with his expultion from Pencey Prep a boarding school in Agerstown, Pennsylvania, after failing three of his four classes. Holden arrives back in Pennsylvania earlier than expected, after leaving the fencing team's equipment on a subway, preventing them from taking place in a schduled match. Once back, he stands high on Thomsen Hill watching the popular annual football game, not actually amused by the action and crowd below. Holden stops by Spencer's house; his former history teacher, who is suffering the flu. He stops by in attempt to gain a sense of goodbye, before returning to his New York home, but instead, Spencer lectures him about his poor actions, in failing History as well as Math and Science. Spencer makes Holden read a turned in a essay in which Holden has poorly and obliviously written. Very quickly Holden is annoyed by Spencer; his criticism, the sight of him in a ratty robe, the smell of Vicks. He retuerns to his dorm, feeling unaccomplished in receiving a goodbye, and returns to reading an earlier started book. Holden writes a composition for Stradler; a roommate, about his brother Allie who has died of Leukemia. He tell of the night Allie died, and how he slept in the garage smashing windows, which leads to a fractured hand. Meanwhile Stradler is on a date with Jane, a girl of Holden's past interest. Annoyed by the thought of Stradler and Jane together and there phoniness, Holden decides to leave earlier than planned, specifically that night, planning to live underground until it's time to confront his parents. Once in New York he cabs to Edmont Hotel. He visits a couple night clubs and talks to a couple people, be he as well as them, become uninterested in conversation. Feeling lonesly by the end of the night, he sends for a five dollar prostitute; Sunny, unaware that her price has doubled. After realizing he doesn't really want to have sex with her, he asks her to leave. Before she leaves she demands the additional five dollars. Holden refuses and makes her leave. As he is readying himself for bed, Holden get's a knock on the door. Sunny and her pimp Maurice return, jumping him and retreaving the money. Still desperate for companionship, Holden calls Sally, insisting they go on a date. The two go to Radio City and ice skate. Once there, he talks about his ridiculous plan to run away with her, convinced they are in love. She is disgusted by the ridiculousness of his idea. They fight and Holden exhibits another mood swing. When he returns, he calls Luce. Luce is a former classmate three years older than Holden. Luce request that Holden see a psychotherapist after revealing his current issues. Holden becomes annoyed and the meeting betweeen the two, ends. Realizing, that he can no longer stand to be away, Holden sneaks into his family apartment to see Pheobe, his ten year old sister, which he longs for and somewhat looks up to, based on descriptions he gives. When he see's her peacefully sleeping in D.B; his Hollywood forsaken older bothers' room, he can't help but to wak her up. Exctied by her brother's surprising arrival, Pheobe begins to ramble about school. Holden leaves the apartment, telling his younger sister, he will leave and travel west. They exchange gifts, he gives her a hunting hat, he purchased while in the city, with the fencing team, and she gives him money, she got during Christmas. He leaves and goes to Mr. Antoli's house; a former English teacher. Antoni allows Holden to sleep on the couch and listens as he rambles about his life issues. Later that night, Holden wakes up to what he thinks is Mr. Antoli making a pass at him, and decides to leave, feeling uncomfortable. He goes by Pheobe's school asking her to meet him in the museum, to return the money she gave him. When she meets him, she begs him to take her with him, when he refuses she is angered and refuses to look at him. He then secums and decides he won't leave. Later, Holden returns to his family home and confronts his parents, promising to reattend a school. He becomes ill and is sent to a mental institute, ending the story. The title The Catcher in the Rye comes from the idea, that Holden would like stand in the Rye field and catch, all the running children, to prevent them from running off the edge. Viewing this act as somewhat heroic, he daydreams about it. He is put back in perspective though, when Mr. Antoli tells him, "It is the stronger man who lives humbly, rather than dying nobly." Character Discription
 * Holden Caulfield is the main character of The Catcher in the Rye. He is a sixteen year old boy, struggling to stay in school. In the book he searches for companionship and longs for female attention. He travels throughout in the book, searching for a place and a person that makes him feel right.


 * Jane is a teenage girl. Though she does not often show up in the story, her memory travels in Holden's mind. He remembers the days they spent together. Though there physical relationship does not span further than holding hands and few embraces, the emotional connection they share in his mind, is strong.
 * Allie Caulfield is Holden's deceased older brother. Allie died from Leukemia years before, however Holden is constantly reminded of him. Allie used to write poetry in a baseball glove in green pen, and Holden still holds on to it.
 * Pheobe Caulfield is Holden's younger sister. They mutually look up to each other, though they don't know it. Pheobe is ten, however she understands Holden and tries to help him out, when no one else does.
 * Sally Hayes is not an extremely significant character, however she becomes part of Holden's journeys'. Still searching for companionship,he goes on a date with her, only to ruin by telling her his plan of falling in love and running away with her. When she, in his perspective, blows it out of proportion, he snaps, making her cry and ending the date.
 * Mr. Antoni is Holden's former teacher. Holden goes to Mr. Antoni's when he has no one where else to go. He allows Holden to stay, however the visit is cut short when Holden get the idea that his teacher is making sexual advances towards him.
 * Mr. Spencer; also not a significant character. However the novel fairly begins with a lecture from him, about Holden's grades. This is the initial sense of goodbye Holden seeks from Pencey Prep.

Theme

In J.D Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye He pin-points Holden Caulfield's ups and downs. His struggle to maintain maturity, while dealing with the immature feelings of neeeding companionship. He travels and insists on staying on his own, however he constantly faces the fact that he feels lonely.

References

Salinger, J.D. The Catcher in the Rye. Little, Brown and Company: Boston, New York, Toronto, London, 1945.

External Links

http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/salinger.htm

Petri Liukkonen & Ari Pesonen. Kuusankosken kaupunginkirjasto 2008